Goals: Looking forward, looking back
How often do you revisit your mission statement and make new goals? For some people goal setting is just something to do on New Years Day, others never set goals. January 24 has been calculated (by psychologists) as the most depressing day of the year. The holiday hype is over and the reality of broken resolutions stares at you in the face. Reaching your goals is about more than just setting the final goal and plugging away until you get there. Achieving your goals is about making constant small adjustments towards the final goal.
I use every excuse I can find to set and reaffirm my goals: New Years, birthday, anniversary, first day of the month, Monday… Since it’s the beginning of October and my birthday is coming up soon, now is a good time to revisit my goals in life.
My life goals consistently revolve around a handful of themes:
- Writing
- Photography
- Nature
For as long as I can remember I have dreamed of being a writer. Anne of Green Gables was the book that first inspired me. I blog because I have to write. This past year I have taken on several writing projects. In November I joined the writing frenzy National Novel Writing Month, and I was a NaNo winner. I took on several blog writing projects, and I hope to seem them really propel my dreams forward. This year, I would like to actually attempt some articles. I also plan on doing NaNoWriMo again. Any aspiring authors want to join me?
Photography is probably my art of choice. I have taken loads of pictures over the past few years. They are languishing in my hard drive right now. I am a failure at printing most of them. Brenton has taken a few to his work and hung them in his cubicle. My pictures always get compliments, I need to start putting them out-there for the world to see. Expect to see photos featured on this blog more in the next year.
Nature. I can never get enough time in God’s creation. We actually went camping a few times this year, but it isn’t enough. Brenton keeps talking about going snow camping. I’m not sure I’m up for that. He also wants me to take up ice fishing. Notice I said he wants ME to do it, not him. I think I’ll be happy making some snowshoes and taking snowshoeing up. Sandpoint has lots of trails around that we could hike if we could stay on top of the snow. I’m still looking for an outlet for my desire to go into camping ministries. My big dream for the next year is to move out of town onto a piece of our own land out in paradise.
The hardest part about dreaming is waiting for the dreams to come true.
But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day
Habakkuk 2:3
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Tags: Goal Setting, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, Resolutions
October 15th, 2007 at 7:56 am
Sometimes our short-term goals become long-term goals. Just keep going in the direction and you will get there.
October 16th, 2007 at 3:50 am
It’s important to revisit goals - otherwise you can’t know if you are doing anything to progress in those goals. I make a list of things I need to do (or should be doing) to reach my goals. It gives me a measuring stick (and often a sense of accomplishment even when the dream hasn’t fully materialized).
Something else I do is make a list of needs, wants, and desires. I revisit this about once a month. It’s amazing how these change (and how many get fulfilled) when we are doing what we are suppose to be doing.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:11 am
what a great idea Kathryn. I usually just review them in my head, but maybe I should write things down more, like I did this month.